A few weeks ago, I picked up a hard copy of Oracle of Ages at my local used game store for $13 (about $9 cheaper than ebay would have been). I am personally more interested in the actual games than the virtual ones, but this does open up possibilities for everyone who missed them to play them this summer.

In case you just missed out on these Game Boy Color classics, I am going to give you a brief rundown on what to expect and why they are worth playing.

The first reason they are worth playing; they are Zelda games. If that’s not quite enough to convince you, these games are unique within the Zelda franchise. They are actually meant to be played together, one after the other, with no priority on which one is played first. They use a password system that gives you passwords in one game to unlock items, upgrades, and other secrets in the other game.

Once you beat either game, you are given a password that, when entered while starting a new file on the other game, will alter dialogue and events in the game to make it into a sequel to the one you just beat.

In Oracle of Ages, Link approaches the triforce in its sacred resting place. When he does, the triforce sends him to a foreign land that needs the hero’s help. In Ages, that land is Labrynna and the oracle in danger is Nayru, the Oracle of Ages. In Seasons, Link is sent to the land of Holodrum to help Din, the Oracle of Seasons.

Whichever game you play first is up to you. Seasons’ dungeons are more combat-oriented while Age's dungeons are puzzle-oriented. The games play much like the other GameBoy Zelda game, Zelda DX. Link must go through eight dungeons while gathering essences needed to stop the villain. While the format of the two games together is unique, the game play is traditional and well designed.

If you are convinced now, the Virtual Console games will be out for America May 30. You can get them for much cheaper that way. If you are like me and would rather have the original versions of the games on physical cartridges, you can check around your local used game stores. Maybe you can find them for a good price.

If not, you can get them both for around $40 on eBay. Whichever way you decide to go, I hope you give these games a try.